Take precautions with door-to-door solicitors, authorities say

Door-to-door salespeople are making the rounds and authorities are encouraging local residents to take common sense precautions.

Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt said Friday that the department has received multiple calls about salespeople selling a cleaning product called "Advanage 20X." Officers have spoken with the solicitors multiple times, Eckerdt said; that included contact with them on Friday night.

"The Powell (Police Department) is aware of the door-to-door salespersons and is monitoring the activities of these particular salespeople," Eckerdt said.

Police in Cody also fielded a complaint about the sellers on Tuesday and the Park County Sheriff's Office received another from rural Powell on Wednesday.

The Sheriff's Office issued a Friday night news release saying to beware of suspicious door-to-door sales. The Sheriff's Office said authorities in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, are investigating whether a man or men selling Advanage 20X sexually assaulted and kidnapped a woman who'd been selling the product with them last month. That investigation continues.

The Park County Sheriff's Office initially said one of the salesmen seen in Park County matched "the description of one of multiple suspects wanted by the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office," but agency spokesman Lance Mathess later clarified that "the subjects are not currently wanted by the Nebraska authorities."

Eckerdt said local residents should follow good safety practices with all solicitors. For example, "don't invite people that you don't know into your house," he said.

Eckerdt said to call police if salespeople ignore a posted "no soliciting" sign or if they refuse to leave when asked.